Space Food Empires!

[Captain Kwok]

Greetings!

I'm still on target for an end of December beta release. I spent some time this weekend revising my systemtype files, and also made some changes to the cultures, racial trait, and happiness files. I also added a bunch of generic units and bases until I get around to creating some custom types for each race. I don't think the first beta release will have any specific units for the major races.

I still have to add those pesky weapons for 5 of the races, plus most of the racial facilities that I keep ignoring for some reason. I've kept to using stock images for now, and so a number of weapons will be using the same images, but not usually more than once for a given race. I don't anticipate on using the ImageMod at all for this mod, as I'll be making new images for many of items. I've already done a host of new beam and torpedo combat images, which look nice in game, plus those planets.

I'm also putting together some simplistic AI files so the mod can be tested faster via solo play.

In regards to ships, I've been re-doing them in another program so I can easily convert them to the .X format that's going to be used in Space Empires V. The modelling part is not too difficult, but I'm not familiar with UV texture mapping so that is slowing me down. I also have to build the models in such a way so I can decrease their vertices without losing too much quality.

Anyway, exams are here so the next two weeks will be relatively slow for mod progress. But after the 18th, I'll be free from the bonds of school until Sept 2005! Now, if I could only win the lottery so I didn't have to work - then you'd see some serious results.

[Ragnarok-X]

Well a release between christman and new year would be great, i have lots of free time then

[Ed Kolis]

Why not submit your new images to the imagemod, in case anyone else wants some "cheesy" weapons in their mod?

[Captain Kwok]

Greetings!

Ok, Ok. I know I'm running far, far behind as usual but this is what I've accomplished in the last month:

• Finished adding components and weapons minus stellar manipulation
• Completed Events.txt with 225 custom events
• Completed IntelProjects.txt with 54 projects
• Completed most combat images
• Added some more quadrant types
• Fixed up some system types, total of 100 types
• Cost adjustments
• Added lots of descriptions
• Lots of debugging

I still need to finish the following before I'll release it:

• Finish adding racial facility entries
• Make some basic AI files to expediate testing
• Finish updating website

I've made a bunch of changes within the mod including resource definitions (again), colony techs, and some of the empire descriptions and types. Will it ever end?

I'd like to make some basic ship placeholders for each major race since using the generic images can be confusing in test games - but that's too time consuming to do and I know some are still patiently waiting. So I won't do that until after the first release.

[ironman]

well hurry it up we are starving for it to get on the plater so we can dig into it

[Captain Kwok]

Here are some current mod stats:

• Components.txt contains about 200 components and 150 weapons.
• Facility.txt contains about 150 facilities (Ok, about 40 more to enter still. )
• 225 custom events
• 55 intelligence projects
• 100 new system types
• Tons of vehicle types

Anyway, not sure to do with mounts. Currently I have only the very basic of mounts - that is 1/2x and 2x strictly multiplier mounts. I do plan to add some range enhancing mounts and a variety of ship or weapon specific ones later on. You guys have any types you find particularly nice?

[Ragnarok-X]

Oh well. I like mounts that add range and hit modifers. Or mounts that make a big increasement in damage. I dont like that increase costs or tonnage though
When do you think a playable version will be ready ? I remember you talking something about "christmas". I didnt imagined you could mean christman 05 though
190 facilites sounds pretty much, same goes for 150 weapons. Looking forward to it !

[Captain Kwok]

I'm not big on lots and lots of mounts, so I was thinking for a given ship you might have:

• 1/2x or 2x Multiplier Mount (depends on ship size)
• Accuracy Mount
• Range Mount
• A speciality Mount

[Ragnarok-X]

What do you consider special mounts ? Things which increase damage resistance or decrease supply usage ?

[Captain Kwok]

A speciality mount could be a single weapon, ship, or racial specific mount.